What Is The Best Way To Find Sermon Illustrations?
Recently, one of our readers asked the following question:
“I want to incorporate more illustrations in my sermons (i.e., more stories), i admire people who can dig out of their rich experience, but my experience is a bit limited, so where would you suggest i go for relevant, truthful stories illustrating how the gospel can impact our lives?”
I have my own ideas, but I’d like to open it up to the community here. So this is your time.
[image by helloromeo]
Related posts:
If you are lacking experiential stories as a presenter then I would suggest making it a point to connect with more people. Human experience in relating with others is where the best stories come from. Take more people to lunch. Help more people in need. Isaiah 58 inspired me to step out if my comfort zone.
I get a lot of illustrations by reading biographies and watching biographical documentaries. I think they just come with time.
I just wanted to add to what these guys have mentioned. I kind of go by a principle of concentric circles, with the center being personal stories and illustrations and flowing out from there.
Personal stories: things that have happened to you
Family: things that have happened to direct and extended family (with permission)
Friends: things that have happened to friends (all need to be used with permission of course)
Magazines: things that you read in quick reading such as Time, Newsweek, etc.
News: CNN.com. Tools such as Twitter often send things my way as well.
Books: just about any book you read will include great stories and illustrations. That’s where I get a lot of my blog posts from. Ideas I get from reading books.
And then as a last resort there are tools that have illustrations such as books with illustrations and even websites. My first year in ministry I actually subscribed to http://www.preachingtoday.com that has lots of illustrations you can search and use.
Hope some of those help!
I agree that the most effective way to find sermon illustrations are through every day experiences (although you have to train yourself to pay attention). When I am not so good with this I use Sermonsearch.com to find Sermon Illustrations
Thanks, Jenn. I couldn’t seem to find sermon illustrations on that site, though? I could find sermons for purchase, but not illustrations.
I am sorry that you had trouble finding the illustrations! Here are the links:
http://www.sermonsearch.com/videoillustrationlist.aspx
http://www.sermonsearch.com/videolist.aspx